A Chronology Of Film Exhibition In Denver, Colorado - 1894-95

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CHRONOLOGY 1890 The 1890-1893 Sanborn Map showed the following: Central Theater , 2017 Market Street [Not shown on the 1903-1904 map] - listed under Amusements at 2017 Holladay Street in the 1889 DCD - listed under Amusements in the DCDs for 1890 & 1891 - [1890 Plate No. 64B] [1903 Plate No. 183]. Haymarket Theater , 1320 16 th Street [not shown on the 1903-1904 map] - listed as the Denver Theater, 1320-24 16 th Street in the 1889 DCD - listed under Amusements at 1322 16 th Street in the 1890 DCD - and under Amusements at 1320 16 th Street in the 1891 & 1892 DCDs - [1890 Plate No. 55B]. Metropolitan Opera House , 1501-1513 Cleveland Place [Not shown on the 1903-1904 map] - I did not find anything listed at this address in the 1889 DCD - listed under Amusements in the 1890 DCD - listed under Amusements as the 15 th Street Theater in the 1891 DCD - listed under Amusements as the People's Theater in the 1892 DCD - no further DCD listings - [1890 Plate No. 52A]. Olympic Variety Theater , 1737-1741 Market Street [Not shown on the 1903-1904 map] - listed under Amusements in the 1889 DCD - listed under Amusements in the DCDs for 1890 & 1891 - listed under Amusements as the Central Theater in the 1892 & 1894 DCDs - [1890 Plate No. 58B]. Palace Variety Theater , 1453-1459 Blake Street [Not shown on the 1903-1904 map] - Listed under Amusements as the Mascot Theater in the 1889 DCD - Not listed in the 1890s DCDs - [1890 Plate No. 2B] [2 Photos] - May have been closed. 1

Transcript of A Chronology Of Film Exhibition In Denver, Colorado - 1894-95

CHRONOLOGY

1890

The 1890-1893 Sanborn Map showed the following:

Central Theater, 2017 Market Street [Not shown on the 1903-1904 map] - listed under Amusements at 2017 Holladay Street in the 1889 DCD - listed under Amusements in the DCDs for 1890 & 1891 -[1890 Plate No. 64B] [1903 Plate No. 183].

Haymarket Theater, 1320 16th Street [not shown on the 1903-1904 map] - listed as the Denver Theater, 1320-24 16th Street in the 1889 DCD - listed under Amusements at 1322 16th Street in the 1890 DCD - and under Amusements at 1320 16th Street in the 1891 &1892 DCDs - [1890 Plate No. 55B].

Metropolitan Opera House, 1501-1513 Cleveland Place [Not shown onthe 1903-1904 map] - I did not find anything listed at this address in the 1889 DCD - listed under Amusements in the 1890 DCD - listed under Amusements as the 15th Street Theater in the 1891 DCD - listed under Amusements as the People's Theater in the 1892 DCD - no further DCD listings - [1890 Plate No. 52A].

Olympic Variety Theater, 1737-1741 Market Street [Not shown on the 1903-1904 map] - listed under Amusements in the 1889 DCD - listed under Amusements in the DCDs for 1890 & 1891 - listed under Amusements as the Central Theater in the 1892 & 1894 DCDs - [1890 Plate No. 58B].

Palace Variety Theater, 1453-1459 Blake Street [Not shown on the 1903-1904 map] - Listed under Amusements as the Mascot Theater inthe 1889 DCD - Not listed in the 1890s DCDs - [1890 Plate No. 2B] [2 Photos] - May have been closed.

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Tabor Grand Opera House, 1016 16th Street [opened September 5, 1881 (Winters, History of the Denver Theatre 1901-1911, p. 168)] - listed under Amusements in the DCDs for 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894 - [1890 Plate No. 54B] [1903 Plate No. 161].

East Denver Turner Hall, 2132-2144 Arapahoe Street [Being built] - first listed under Amusements in the 1892 & 1893 DCDs - [PlateNo. 67A]

Wonderland Museum & Variety Theater, 1746 Curtis Street - I did not find any listings for this address in the 1889 DCD - listedunder Amusements in the DCDs for 1890, 1891 & 1892 - listed under Amusements as the New People's Theater in the 1893 & 1894 DCDs - [1890 Plate No. 59B] [1903 Plate No. 176].

Coliseum Hall, 1812-1826 Champa Street [1890 Plate No. 59B] [1903Plate No. 177]

Collander Hall, 1630-1634 Curtis Street [1890 Plate No. 54B] [1903 Plate No. 162]

Gettysburg Building, 1708-1730 Champa Street [1890 Plate No. 59B][1903 Plate 177]

Elitch's Zoological Gardens, 38th & Tennyson Street [Opened May, 1890 (Bloch, Flickerana For Denver .p. 155, Note #16)] - [1890 PlatesNo. 128A & B]

Rocky Mountain Lake Amusement Resort - Federal & West 46th Avenue- [1890 Plate No. 128A]

Shooting Gallery, 2022 Larimer Street - not listed in the 1890 DCDs - [1890 Plate No. 63A] - I did not find any listings for this address in the 1889 DCD - Listed under Butter & Egg Dealersin the 1890 DCD - as a Liquor Dealer in the 1891 DCD.

April 1890 - The 1890 DCD listed:Amusements -

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1. Tabor Grand Opera House - Peter McCourt, Manager, R.B. Mays Treasurer - Located in the northwest corner of Sixteenth and Curtis streets.2. Metropolitan Theater - L.G. Hanna, Manager - Located on the northeast corner of Fifteenth Street and Cleveland Place.3. Olympic Theater - J.N. Halligan, Proprietor - 1737 to 1743 Market street.4. Central Theater - 2017 Market Street.5. West Denver Turner Hall - Tenth, northwest corner LarimerStreet.6. Haymarket Theater - 1322 16th.7. Wonderland - 1746 Curtis. 8. Elitch's Gardens - Elitch, John R., propr, Elitch's

Gardens, r. Prospect av, sw cor Canby, Highlands - also several employees -- [Bloch, Flickerana For Denver, p. 155, Note #16 - "John McParland, who began working on Denver stages in November 1889 and was one of the stage crew at Elitch's Gardens on its opening night in May 1890 ... "].Museums -

1. Eastwood, George proprietor - Taylor's Free Museum, 1716 - 1718 Larimer , r. 2542 Arapahoe - also listed under Mineral Curiosities [Not on the Sanborn Map - 1716-1722 Larimer was the Batione Block] - same listing in 1889, 1891,1892, 1893 & 1894.2. McClain, George D. - museum, 1712 Larimer, r. 1537 Washington av - also listed under Mineral Curiosities [Not on the Sanborn Map - listed as a store ] - same listing in 1889 - just listed under Mineral Curiosities in 1891, 1892 & 1893.3. Tammon, Henry H. - museum, 1624 Larimer, r. 2551 Arapahoe[Not on the Sanborn Map - part of the Palmer House - later site of Princess Theater in 1908] - same listing in 1889 - listed at 1516 Arapahoe Street in 1891 & 1892.

Phonographs -1. Colorado And Utah Phonograph Co. - W. Rollins, President; C.

R. Hurd, Vice-President; T. P. Dunbar, Treasurer; T. H. Reynolds, Secretary; Sim. W. Cantril, Manager. 104 Opera House block; also, Barber, John F., asst. manager, Colorado

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and Utah Phonograph Co., 104 Opera House Blck., r. 1536 Court Place - Not listed in the 1889 DCD - listed at 1515 California Street in 1891, 1892, 1893 and 1894]

Shooting Galleries -1. Gray, William C. - shooting gallery, 1417 17 th [Not on the Sanborn Map - listed as a store] - Only time listed in the DCDs.2. McAneny, Michael J. - shooting gallery, 1422 1/2 15 th Street, r. 3337 Larimer [Not on the Sanborn Map - listed as a store with a lodging house on the second floor] - Only time listed in the DCDs.3. Woods & Lynch (H.T. Woods and T.F. Lynch) - shooting gallery, 1723 Market [Not on the Sanborn Map - listed as a store next to a Chinese laundry] - listed at 1551 Larimer Street in 1889 - listed at 1739 Larimer Street in 1891.

August 18, 1890 - Broadway Theater, 1756 Broadway Opened -- [Winters, History of the Denver Theatre 1901-1911, p. 164 – Draper, Colorado Theaters, 1859-1969, p. 1801 gave the same opening date, witha seating capacity of 1,640 (Orchestra 456, Balcony 502, Gallery & Family Circle 536] – Draper (p. 1803) quoted the 1926 Film Daily Yearbook for a seating capacity of 1,200 - listed in the DCDs for1891, 1892, 1893, & 1894 - opened by William Bush, who was also connected with the Brown Palace Hotel.

1891

April 1891 - The 1891 DCD listed:Amusements -

1. Broadway Theater - located Broadway, between Seventeenth and Eighteenth streets.2. Tabor Grand Opera House - Peter McCourt, Manager; R.B. Mays, Treasurer - Located on the northwest corner of Sixteenth and Curtis streets.3. Fifteenth Street Theater - Peter McCourt, Manager - Located Northeast corner Fifteenth and Cleveland Place [former Metropolitan Theater].

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4. Olympic Theater - J.N. Halligan, Proprietor - 1737 and 1743 Market Street.5. Central Theater - 2017 Market Street.6. West Denver Turner Hall - Tenth, northwest corner Larimerstreet.7. Wonderland - Chicago Block, Curtis between Seventeenth and Eighteenth streets.8. Theater Comique - 2031 Market [Part of the Kennedy Hotel,next to the Central Theater on the 1890 Sanborn Map, Plate No. 64B] - only DCD listing I found - there may have been atheater at this location in 1897 run by Sam Wah.9. Haymarket Theater - 1320 16th Street - Miller R. W. & Co., (R. W. Miller and James Knouse,) proprs, Haymarket Theatre, 1320 16th - Charles R. Boyd, Manager - also severalemployees - only under General Listings not Amusements10. Elitch's Gardens - Prospect av, sw cor Canby - Goodyear,Charles W., stage manager Elitch's Gardens

Museums -1. Eastwood, George proprietor - Taylor's Free Museum, 1716 - 1718 Larimer , r. 2542 Arapahoe - also listed under Mineral Curiosities - same listing in 1890, 1892, 1893 & 18942. Tammon, Henry H., museum, 1516 Arapahoe, r. 2731 Arapahoe[listed at 1624 Larimer Street in the 1890 DCD].

Phonographs -1. Colorado & Utah Phonograph Co., 1515 California - same listing in the 1892, 1893 & 1894 DCDs - Barber, John F., asst. mngr., Colorado & Utah Phonograph Co.

Shooting Galleries - 1. Brooks, Edward [E.] - shooting gallery, 1331 19 th - [Noton the 1890 Sanborn Map - listed as a store] - listed as a restaurant in the 1892 DCD - Brooks was listed as running aShooting Gallery at 1721 Market Street in 1892 & 1896, but just at the address 1721 1/2 Market Street in 1894 - in 1898he was running a Shooting Gallery at 1115 17th Street.2. Cooper, Jefferson - shooting gallery, 1747 Market Street - [Not on the 1890 Sanborn Map - listed as a store in the

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European Hotel] - Cooper was listed as running a Shooting Gallery at 1739 Larimer Street in the 1892 DCD.3. Ingersoll, Lee G. - shooting parlor, 1444 Larimer, , r. 72 Lincoln ave [Not on the 1890 Sanborn Map - listed as a store] - only time listed in the DCDs - the location was listed under Drain Layers in the 1892 DCD.4. Woods, Hiram T. - shooting gallery, 1739 Larimer, r. 141 Mary - [Not on the 1890 Sanborn Map - listed as a store] - Woods was listed as running a Shooting Gallery at 1723 Market Street in the 1890 DCD - the Shooting Gallery was listed as being run by Jefferson Cooper in the 1892 DCD.

1892

April 1892 - The 1892 DCD listed:Amusements -

1. Broadway Theater - Broadway bet 17th and 18th avs.2. Central Theater - 1737 Market.3. East Turner Hall - 2132 to 2148 Arapahoe.4. Manhattan Beach - Sloan's Lake [First Listing].5. Peoples Theater - Cleveland Pl, ne cor 15th [former 15th

Street Theater]6. Tabor Grand Opera House - Peter McCourt mgr, 16th nw cor

Curtis.7. The Elitch Garden Amusement Co - Prospect sw cor Canby

avs - Carleton, John R., mgr Elitch Garden Amusement Co.8. West Denver Turn Hall - 1314 10th.9. Wonderland - Curtis bet 17th and 18th.10. Haymarket Theater - 1320 16th Street - only under

General Listings, not Amusements and no employees listedMuseums:

1. Eastwood, George proprietor - Taylor's Free Museum, 1716 - 1718 Larimer , r. 2542 Arapahoe - also listed under Mineral Curiosities - same listing in 1893 & 18942. Tammon, Henry H. - museum, 1516 Arapahoe, r. 1255 Champa- also listed under Mineral Curiosities

Phonographs:

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1. Colorado & Utah Phonograph Co., 1515 California - and, Barber, John F., mgr., Colorado & Utah Phonograph Co., r. 1135 S 14th - same listing in 1893 & 1894.

Shooting Galleries:1. Brooks, Edward E. - shooting gallery, 1721 Market - Brooks was listed as running a Shooting Gallery at 1331 19th

Street in the 1891 DCD - as running a Throwing Gallery at 1745 Market Street in the 1893 DCD - the 1894 DCD just listed Brooks at 1721 1/2 Market but no listings for a Shooting Gallery - as running a Shooting Gallery at 1721 Market Street in the 1896 DCD - and as running a Shooting Gallery at 1115 17th Street in the 1898 DCD.2. Cooper, Jefferson - shooting gallery, 1739 Larimer, r. 1723 Market - listed as a Tailors shop in the 1894 DCD - Cooper was listed as running a Shooting Gallery at 1747 Market Street in the 1891 DCD - Hiram Woods was listed as running a Shooting Gallery at this location in the 1891 DCD.

September 1892 - Alhambra Theater, 1717 Curtis Street Opened [Winters, History of the Denver Theatre 1901-1911, p. 186] -- I did not find any DCD listings for this theater.

1893

February 1893 - Imperial Theater, 1717 Curtis Street Opened [Winters, History of the Denver Theatre 1901-1911, p. 186)] - Not listed under Amusements in the DCD, but the General Listings included: Imperial Theatre, Denver Amusement Co props, ws Curtis bet 17th and 18th; also, Denver Amusement Co, props Imperial Theatre ns Curtis bet 17th and 18th; Bock Frederic, mgr Imperial Theatre; andsix (6) other employees.

April 1893 - The 1893 DCD listed:Amusements -

1. Broadway Theatre , Broadway bet 17th and 18th avs.

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2. Central Theatre , 1737 Market.3. East Denver Turn Hall , 2132 to 2148 Arapahoe.4. Elitch's Gardens Amusements Co, Prospect av sw cor Greenwood

av, Highlands.5. Manhattan Beach , Sloan's Lake.6. New People's Theatre , Chicago Blk [former Wonderland

Theater]7. Tabor Grand Opera House , Peter McCourt mgr, 16th nw cor. 8. West Denver Turn Hall , 1314 10th.

Museums - 1. Taylor's Free Museum , 1716-1718 Larimer - listed under

Mineral Curiosities - also, Eastwood George, prop Taylor's Free Museum 1716-1718 Larimer, r 2542 Arapahoe.

2. Tammon, H.H. , 1516 Arapahoe - listed under Mineral Curiosities.

Phonographs -1. North American Phonograph Co. , E F Leeds mgr, 1515

California, also in General Listings; also, Barber John F, with North American Phonograph Co, r 1135 S 14th.

Shooting Galleries - 1. Brooks Edward E, throwing gallery, 1745 Market - Brooks was listed as running a Shooting Gallery at 1331 19th Streetin the 1891 DCD - as running a Shooting Gallery at 1721 Market Street in the 1892 DCD - the 1894 DCD just listed Brooks at 1721 1/2 Market, but no listings for a Shooting Gallery - as running a Shooting Gallery at 1721 Market Street in 1896 - and as running a Shooting Gallery at 1115 17th Street in the 1898 DCD. 2. Levy, Mose, shooting gallery 1530 Larimer, r 1540 Larimer- This was the only DCD listing I found for a shooting gallery at this address - future site of the Dreamland Theater in 1908. 3. Woods & Lynch (Hiram Woods and T F Lynch), shooting gallery 1745 Larimer - listed as running a Shooting Gallery at 1551 Larimer Street in the 1889 DCD - a Shooting Gallery at 1723 Market in the 1890 DCD - a Shooting Galleryat 1739 Larimer Street in the 1891 DCD - but no listing in the 1892 DCD.

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June 3, 1893 - Lyceum Theater, 1717 Curtis Street Opened [Winters, History of the Denver Theatre 1901-1911, p. 186] - first listed in the 1894 DCD

1894

April 1894 - The 1894 DCD listed:Amusements -

1. Broadway Theatre - Broadway bet 17th and 18th avs.2. Central Theatre - 1737 Market - Reynolds, Charles F., prop

Central Theatre.3. East Denver Turner Hall - 2132 to 2148 Arapahoe.4. Elitch's Gardens Amusement Co - ws 21st [??] cor Prospect

av, Highlands.5. Lyceum Theater - Harry Evans mgr, 1717 to 1723 Curtis -

Clark, Harry Carson, stage mngr., Lyceum Theater [First Listing].

6. Manhattan Beach - Sloan's Lake. 7. New Peoples Theatre - Chicago Blk, 1746 Curtis8. Tabor Grand Opera House - Peter McCourt mgr, 16th nw cor

Curtis.9. West Denver Turner Hall - 1314 10th

Museums - 1. Eastwood, George proprietor - Taylor's Free Museum,

1716 - 1718 Larimer , r. 2542 Arapahoe - also listed under Mineral Curiosities

Phonographs - 1. Colorado and Utah Phonograph Co ., 1515 California; also,

Barber, John F., mgr., Colorado & Utah Phonograph Co., r. 1541 Williams

Shooting Galleries - No listings

April - June 1894 -- "Marketing and Exploiting the Kinetoscope..... - Shipped to the Holland brothers on 6 April, the first ten machines were installed at 1155 Broadway in New York City.... - With the opening of the Holland brothers kinetoscope parlor on Saturday, 14 April 1894, the history of commercial motion pictures began.... A second kinetoscope parlor followed in Chicago on 17 or 18 May, when the Hollands installed

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another ten machines at a Masonic temple. The remaining five had a San Francisco premiere on 1 June at Peter Bacigalupi's phonograph parlor..." (Musser, Cinema, p. 81).

June - August 1894 -- Notice "The Edison Kinetoscope. A marvelousreproduction of movable objects. Nothing more vivid or more natural than these changing forms with their familiar tricks of gesture and action. Readers of the June number of the Century Magazine can have an opportunity to practically appreciate the importance of the article on the Kinetoscope. Holland Bros have five of these machines now on exhibition at 644 Market street." (SF Call, June 5, 1894 p. 10) -- Article "Nearly everybody has beard of the inventor of the kinetoscope, but very few know that Edison's most wonderful invention is now on exhibition in San Francisco. Through the courtesy of the gentleman who is managing the exhibitions at 644 Market street I am able to state that the report circulated by a contemporary to the effect that the views are indecent is incorrect. In fact nothing could be more interesting than the moving photographs, as shown by these instruments. If you wish to see yourself as a waltzer, vocalist, or as an orator, the machines will produce it true to life. In short it is difficult, almost impossible, to believe any true descriptionof what can be seen in the kinetoscope by any persons who have not themselves looked into it. There are only twenty-five of these machines in existence, ten of which are in New York, ten inChicago and five here." (SF Call, August 19, 1894 p. 6).

October 1894 -- Want Ads "Business Chances -- KINETOSCOPE PARLOR FOR SALE - $3000 will buy a complete Edison kinetoscope, phonograph and graphophone arcade, situated on [206 South] SpringStreet, Los Angeles; producing $25 daily. Apply Peter Bacigalupi,946 Market Street, S.F." (SF Call, October 3, 1894) -- Was this thesame location, 248 Spring Street listed in an ad for the Corbett-Courtney fight on September 25, 1895.

October 26 (Friday) to November 7 (Wednesday), 1894 – Five Kinetoscope at Nelson’s Restaurant, 1643 Curtis Street – "By the end of 1894 many additional towns in the United States had had

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Kinetoscopes debuts [included Denver on the list] ..... A number of cities were showing the machine under the aegis of various agents of the Kinetoscope company, and any of a number of HollandBrothers agents. These men paid the Holland Brothers 5% on all Kinetoscopes, films and supplies they bought: ......Pratt ......Thomas and Pratt....." (Hendricks, The Kinetoscope pp.65 & 66) -- Large Ad - "EDISON'S LATEST WONDER - The Marvel of the Nineteenth Century - THE KINETOGRAPH - THE KINETOSCOPE - Peter Bacigalupi, Proprietor - Parlors: 946 Market Street (Baldwin's) San Francisco - 206 South Spring Street (opposite Hollenbeck) Los Angeles, California - THE KINETOGRAPH -The kinetograph bears the same relation to the Kinetoscope as therecording diaphragm of the Phonograph bears to the reproducing diaphragm. The human eye is capable of detecting and separating amaximum of about forty distinct impressions per second of time. It is plain, therefore, that if more than forty distinct impressions or views are presented before the retina in a second of time, the eye will blend these separate impressions into one continuous impression or view. Now the Kinetograph is in part a photographic camera, so constructed with attachments and devices emanating from the fertile brain of Thos. A. Edison, that it records forty-six distinct and separate views of moving objects or scenes during each second of time. In other words, the Kinetograph takes forty-six separate and distinct photographs of moving objects every second of exposure. These photographs are recorded on a long film, which is finished substantially as all photographs are finished, and is thus prepared for reproduction and exhibition by means of the Kinetoscope. - THE KINETOSCOPE - This machine is in the shape of a handsome hard wood cabinet, about the size of a 'slot' phonograph cabinet. This cabinet, contains a mechanical device, operated by electricity, which is so constructed as to run the films (containing the views photographed by the Kinetograph) past a given point at a speed ofabout forty-six each second of time. The films pass over a seriesof rollers which hold them steady and secure accurate results. Inthe top of the cabinet of the Kinetoscope is a small window, covered with clear glass. The person who desires to witness the reproduction of the views, looks down through this window and thefilm passes before his eyes with such rapidity that he beholds

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one continuous view, which we will endeavor to explain in a practical and easily understood way. Perhaps the simplest method of explanation will be to describe an actual scene. Among many subjects thus far secured for the Kinetoscope is the interior of a BARBER SHOP - The beholder, who is looking down through the window of the Kinetoscope cabinet, sees the interior of a Barber Shop. A man is reclining upon a barber's chair, about to be shaved. The barber goes to his case, secures his cup, makes a lather with which he proceeds to lather the man's face. Meanwhile, a colored gentleman, who is probably acting in the capacity of porter, boot black and jack-of-all-trades, is moving about the room. He picks up a newspaper and sits down to read it.Another customer comes in and pulls off hat and coat, takes a cigar from his vest pocket, lights it, picks up a paper and sits down to smoke, read and await his turn. The colored gentleman aforesaid finds something very funny in the newspaper he is reading, and thereupon he crosses the room and points out the amusing article to the customer. The both laugh and show every sign of amusement. Meanwhile the barber has been shaving his man,and both the 'shaver' and the 'shavee' have been going through many motions, the one plainly evincing his desire to hurry through the work of shaving and be ready for the 'next', the other as plainly showing the results of this immoderate haste on the part of his 'executioner' by sundry grimaces and winces when the razor takes off sections of his cuticle. - This is only one of the many scenes which are reproduced through the medium of thewonderful Kinetoscope. The possibilities of these marvelous machines can hardly be estimated. Views and scenes can be taken all over the world. Anything in motion can be photographed and reproduced exactly true to nature. From the effect produced by slowly rising clouds of smoke, to the falling of waters at Niagara, from the rounds of a prize fight or the heats of a horserace, to the flashing of the lightning in the cloud bedarkened heavens -- nothing is beyond the reach of the Kinetograph and, inturn, a faithful reproduction by means of the Kinetoscope. Even abullet, shot from a gun, has been photographed by the Kinetograph, so swift is it action. What a detective! What an aidto science and the arts! What a recorder of scenes and events. Hereafter, that which takes place in any part of the world can be

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recorded permanently, and be reproduced, just as it took place, in every other part of the world. Events which people go hundredsand even thousands of miles to see, can now be brought to their very doors - Peter Bacigalupi, Proprietor. - TO THE LADIES - Ladies are especially invited to these exhibitions. Ladies without escorts need not feel any timidity or restraint about attending, for these exhibitions are in charge of ladies and gentlemen, and the surroundings will be found all that a refined or even fastidious person could desire. 1643 Curtis St. - Nelson's Restaurant [1890 Plate No. 54B] [1903 Plate No. 161] - Denver, Colo." (DP, October 26, 1896 p. 3) [NOTE: The parts of this ad about the Kinetograph, Kinetoscope and 'Barber Shop' are the same as the description in the Continental Commerce Company's 6 page brochure for Thomas A. Edison's Latest and Most Remarkable Invention, The Kinetoscope (1894) on Reel 1 of Musser's Catalogs] -- Article "A Wonderful Exhibition - - Work of the Kinetograph and Kinetoscope Shown in Denver - The kinetograph and the kinetoscope, two of Edison's latest inventions, are on exhibition at 1643 Curtis street and are attracting hundreds of visitors daily. The kinetograph is in part a photographic camera so constructed that it records 46 distinct and separate views of moving objects every second of exposure. These photographs are recorded on a long film which is finished substantially as all photographs are finished and is thus prepared for reproduction and exhibition by means of the kinetoscope. Through the kinetoscope the human eye is capable of detecting and separating a maximum of about forty distinct impressions per second. The films from the kinetograph pass over a series of rollers in the kinetoscope in the top of which is a small window through which the beholder looks when witnessing theviews. Among these may be mentioned a barber shop in full operation, with all the characters performing their accustomed duties. Anything in motion can be photographed and reproduced exactly true to nature. It is truly Edison's most miraculous invention and should be inspected by every citizen. Ladies are invited." (DP, October 26, 1894 p. 2) [I am not sure if this a real article or just a Press Release to go along with the large ad on the same page] -- Small Notice "Edison's Kinetoscope - The Marvel Of The Nineteenth Century - On exhibition for two weeks

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only at 1643 Curtis st (Nelson's). Programme - 1. Prof. Welton's Boxing Cats, late of Barnum & Bailey's Show. 2. Wrestling Dogs. 3. Highland Dance. 4. Caicelo Rope Dance. 5. Cock Fight - Price: 1 machine 10c, 5 machines 25 c. (DP, October 25, 1894 p. 4) [This seems to imply that the exhibition began on Thursday, October 25, 1894] - Ad repeated on October 26, 30, 31,1894 and November 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 1894 - Same ads in the RMN from October 25 to October 30, 1894 - Nothing in either the Denver Republican or Denver Times -- The 1893, 1894 and 1896 DCDs listed: Albert Nelson & Co., liquors and cigars, wholesale and retail, and prop Nelson's Oyster and Chop House, 1637-1643 Curtis - [Listed as a store next to the Leonard Block on the 1890-93 Sanborn Map, and as a restaurant on the 1903-04 Sanborn Map - Photos: X-22606, X-22618 and X-22623, the Royal Restaurant]

December 1894 - Want Ads "Business Chances - Kinetoscope Outfits Complete - Advertising matter, personal instruction, etc., $5; supplies and machines for sale, plenty of good territory to work.P. Bacigalupi, 946 Mkt." (SF Call, December 23, 1894) - similar adsthrough January 21, 1895.

I did not find any further mention of kinetoscopes, penny arcades, etc. in the Denver papers in November or December 1894 –Bacigalupi may have had a Kinetoscope arcade in the lobby of the Tabor Grand Opera House, 1016 16 th Street and may have been responsible for showing a five round prize fight in 1895 or 1896,and the showing of the Corbett-Courtney fight film in August 1896.

1895

Special Supplement, "A 100 - Year Start On Tomorrow " (AC, July 1989pp. 2a-2b) - Has a photograph of "Peter Bacigalupi's Kinetoscope Arcade" in the lobby of the Tabor Grand Opera House, 1016 16th Street with five machines showing fight films - there are severalU/I men in the photo - I am not sure which fight film was being shown or the date of the photo - possibly during 1895 or 1896 -

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Musser, Edison Motion Pictures 1890-1900 lists the 'Hornbakcer-Murphy Fight' [No. 68], 5 films of 50 ft each produced on October 2, 1894 (p. 131), and a 'Billy Edwards' boxing film [No. 115], 5 films of 50 ft each produced in January or February 1905 (p.172),either of which might be the film being shown.

The Curran Bill Posting & Distributing Co., 17 th & Larimer Street was the only Denver organization I found mention in Billboard during 1895 - Ad "There Is No Question About It? - The Curran Bill Posting & Distributing Co. - Do Powerful Permanent Advertising - We Also Paint Signs, Own and Control All Billboardsand Advertising Privileges -- General Office, 17th and Larimer Streets, Denver, Colo. - Branch Offices: Alamo Hotel, Colorado Springs, Colo. - 114 Santa Fe Avenue, Pueblo, Colo." (Billboard, January 1, 1895 p. 8) - Small ads in the "Bill Poster's Directory" thereafter -- They seem to have contributed to a "Denver News" section thru June 1895 and talked about all types of advertising posters, not just theatrical -- Switched to the "Distributors' Directory" in July 1895 -- Large ads again in August, September, October & December, 1895 -- A short biographical sketch of Curran in the October 1895 (p. 4) issue, with a cover photo, and an article on the Rocky Mountain Bill Posting Assoc., established on August 27, 1895 on p. 5, and a photo of two of their commercial advertising stands on p. 6.

January to December 1895 – I did not find anything in the DP relating to Kinetoscope parlors, penny arcades, etc. during 1895 – I did not find anything in the DT from April 17 thru September 3, 1895 -- Nothing in the RMN from March 18 thru August 31, 1895and nothing in the DR in September or October 1895.

January 9, 1895 (Thursday) - “Coming Events - Rev. R.A. Carmine,D.D., will lecture at St. James M.E. church, corner Colfax and Ninth, Thursday evening. Subject from London to Pompeii. The lecturewill be illustrated by 50 large stereopticon views.” (DP, January 8, 1895 p. 5).

February 1895 -- Want Ads "Personals - Phonographic Outfits Bought For Cash, Bacigalupi, 946 Mrkt., Baldwin bldg" (SF Call,

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January 27, 1895) - Similar ads through February 4, 1895 -- Want Ads "Personals - Kinetoscopes for sale; Phonograph outfits boughtfor cash. Bacigalupi, 946 Mrkt." (SF Call, February 22, 1895).

April 1895 - No 1895 DCD online

April 16, 1895 (Tuesday) - Article "Edison's Latest Marvel - The Wizard Talks About The Wonderful Kinetograph - A Combination Of Inventions - The Phonograph and Kinetoscope So Combined as to Make One Hear and See Grand Opera at Home - A New Way of Recording History - Remarkable Reproductions" [Included a drawingof two men seated watching a film projected on a screen, "Seeing And Hearing Gladstone"] (RMN, April 16, 1895 p. 3).

April 19 & 20, 1895 (Friday & Saturday) -- Local Notices "The Collander Turf - 1630 - 32 Curtis street - Washington, Nashville, Memphis and San Francisco races and all other sporting events accurately reported every day by special wire. Pools sold daily" (RMN, April 19, 1895 p. 8) -- Article "Pointers For McIntire - Where Gambling Is Going On Openly - Policy Shops Make No Attempt At Concealment" -- a long article about the Governor's lack of interest in having the new Fire & Police board suppress the open gambling and vice in the city - included a drawing of "The Collander Blind" showing a man standing in a pool room, "Showing the outside guard and door to gambling room" (RMN, April 20, 1895 pp. 1 & 4) -- They also reported on a similar "pool room" inthe 1500 block of Curtis Street -- see similar articles in the DP in July and August 1895 -- Collander Hall was later the site of the Novelty Theater in 1905.

May - August 1895 -- The DT had ads for the Tabor Grand Opera House, the Broadway Theater and the Curtis St. Theater presentingplays -- Ads for the Lyceum Theater began at the beginning of May-- I did not find and ads or mention of film presentations thru September 1895.

May 18, 1895 (Saturday) – Want Ads – “5 Cents Is All It Will CostYou to get your picture taken by machinery; the greatest novelty of the age; drop a nickel in the slot and get your picture in 30

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seconds; either by day or electric light. Call at once at 1828 Larimer St.” (DP, May 18, 1895 p. 7) [Possibly some type of amusement parlor, with kinetoscopes, phonographs, etc.? ]- [1890 Plate No. 59A - Store] [1903 Plate No. 173] - Listed as a Shoemaker store in the 1894 DCD - the Western Jewelry Co. in the1896 DCD - and, as a clothing store in the 1899 DCD -- Article "Photograph Machines - Fair Pictures Turned Out by a Nickel In The Slot Affair on Lawrence Street -- 'Your pictures taken while you wait' is the sign which announces that the latest nickel in the slot machine has arrived in Denver" -- Described how the process worked but did not give a street address - produced a photo about an inch square (RMN, May 26, 1895 p. 8).

July - September, 1895 - The Orpheum Theater, 1746 Curtis Street presented a vaudeville program. -- Local Brevities "The Curtis Street theater will be opened next week on the Orpheum circuit. Harry Samm will be manger - Last evening, Lester M. Crawford, manager of the Curtis Street Theater, was placed under arrest on the charge of false pretenses preferred by John Andrews" (RMN, June 8, 1895 p. 5) [The Curtis Street theater had been presentingplays since the middle of March 1895] -- At The Play "The Orpheum- The Orpheum Theater, formerly known as the Curtis Street theater, will again throw open its doors to the public Saturday evening. High class specialities of all kinds will be the attraction every week [Listed the performers for the first week] ... - The demand for superior vaudeville attractions in Denver has often been demonstrated by the overflowing houses attending the appearance of such speciality troupes as the RostonHoward Athenaeums and Hopkins's Trans Atlantic, etc., and it has finally culminated in the incorporation of a company which will undertake to provide Denver the very best specialities procurable. The same policy which has achieved such gratifying results in San Francisco will be followed in the management of the Denver Orpheum. The regular performance will begin every evening at 8 o'clock, lasting until 11, during which a series of notable specialities and novel features will be presented. Every possible precaution will be taken to make this great place of amusement thoroughly respectable and clean, and the character of the gentlemen who have undertaken the management is sufficient

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guarantee of the conduct of the resort. It is a place where a gentleman can take his family and enjoy a pleasant evening. - TheDenver Orpheum will be run in conjunction with the Orpheum, San Francisco and the Orpheum, Los Angeles; that is the artists will appear at the latter houses will also appear at the former." (RMN, June 30, 1895 p. 15) -- Ad "Orpheum, Curtis St., between 17 th and 18 th Sts. - Denver's Society Vaudeville Theater - Artists From Both Hemispheres - Grand Opening - Saturday, July 6 th " (RMN,June 30, 1895 p. 6) - Similar ad on July 1, 1895 added - "Parquet 50c, Dress Circle 25c, Balcony 10c" and "In conjunctionwith the San Francisco Orpheum, under the management of Gustav Walter, Director General Orpheum Circuit" -- Amusements "The Orpheum - At last Denver is to have a permanent vaudeville theater, and one worthy the support of all classes of theater goers. The question arises why has this not been done before? Thereason is simple. It required a manager who had a number of theaters, for it is impossible to obtain artists of ability, unless given a long engagement because the distance is so great from the Eastern theatrical centers. In reopening the Curtis Street theater, Manager Gustav Walter of San Francisco adds one more house to his circuit of theaters, which when complete will take in St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, Los Angeles, San Jose andSan Francisco...." (RMN, July 2, 1895 p. 4) -- Amusements "Orpheum - Tomorrow night this new enterprise throws it doors open to the public, and in future the Denver public will have a permanent high class vaudeville theater, where only the most prominent artists known to the profession will be played. The house has been thoroughly renovated and redecorated and the main point of view with Manager Walter is to impress the people of this city with the fact that fathers and brothers may take their loved ones to the Orpheum with no fear that their ears and eyes will be assailed with anything but pure wit, humor and perfectly proper specialities..... [Listed the first performers] (DT, July 5, 1895 p. 4) - Ad on the same page - "Grand Opening Tomorrow Night, July 6 - Parquet 50c, Dress Circle 25c, Balcony 10c - Saturday and Sunday Matinees 25c any part of the house - Children 10c any seat" - The ad on July 7, 1895 resembled the ads for the later Orpheum Theater at 1513 Welton Street and referred to Walter as "Director General Orpheum Circuit" - The ad on July 9,

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1916 added "In Conjunction With Our San Francisco Orpheum" - Similar ads in the DP -- Amusements "Orpheum - The Orpheum closed last evening for four weeks. The closing was necessary owing to the preparations for the bookings of winter artists...."(DT, September 2, 1895 p. 4) [The theater had been presenting Orpheum circuit vaudeville all summer] -- Reopened on October 6, 1895 but not as a vaudeville theater.

July 24, 1895 (Wednesday) - “Running Wide Open” - Long article on the number of illegal gambling place in downtown Denver including the name and addresses of the houses along "Gambler's Row" along Curtis Street between 16th and 18th streets. (DP, July 24, 1895 pp. 1 & 2) -- Article “Only A Little Lull” - continued the coverage of illegal gambling houses in downtown Denver (DP, August 10, 1895, p. 2) - Gambling clubs had supposedly been closed down in 1893, and just reopened with the help of a new governor and "his" new Fire & Police Board.

September 1895 -- Special Notices - "PRIZE FIGHT - THE CELEBRATEDCorbett vs. Courtney prize fight: 6 furious rounds and knockout; will be on exhibition for a short time only at 248 S. Spring st.,Los Angeles; 5 cents per round, or 6 rounds 30 cents. PETER BACIGALUPI only representative for California for the Edison enlarged and improved kinescopes. 10-15" (SF Call, September25, 1895) -- Was this the same kinetoscope parlor that he offered forsale in October 1894 - What about the letters to Rector in May/July 1896 about the fight films and enlarged kinetoscope.

September - October 1895 - Jenkins & Armat exhibited the Phantoscope on the Terrace Midway of the Cotton States Expositionin Atlanta -- Article "FREAKS IN A PANIC - Small Fire on the Midway at Atlanta - ATLTNTA, Ga, Oct. 15. - Temporary excitementwas created on the exposition grounds this afternoon by a fire inthe midway. The explosion of a gasoline stove in the old plantation at the eastern extremity of the Midway set the frame structure on fire, and the smoke and flames shot up, drawing everybody on the grounds to the scene. The fire department quickly responded. Lines were laid and the chemical engines quickly put to work. There was a panic among the freaks on the

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Midway. The fire was soon under control, but the old plantation exhibit was destroyed, the phantoscope next door suffered $50 damage, and Hagenbach's wild beast arena suffered to the extent of $600" (St. Paul Globe, October 16, 1895) - similar information inthe Guthrie Daily of October 17, 1895 -- None of these exhibits are shown on the official Sanborn Map of the Exposition, but in From Peep Show To Palace (p. 58), Robinson has a photo of the Old Plantation exhibit from the Library of Congress

September 28 (Saturday) to November 24 (Sunday), 1895 – Opening of the New Lyceum/Clarke’s Lyceum Theater, 1717 Curtis Street, under the management of Harry Corson Clarke, and featuring plays by Clarke’s Lyceum Theater Company. -- The DR of September 29, 1895 had an account of the opening -- Ad "Clarke's Lyceum Theater- Harry Corson Clarke, Mngr. - To Night / A Hit / To Night - The three act farcical play - Our Regiment - Presented by Clarke's Lyceum Theater Co. - Prices: Evenings 25c and 50c, no higher - Saturday Matinee 25c, no higher - All bicycles parked free ." (DR, October 1, 1895 p. 3) -- Article "At The Theaters" - A Notice that "the Lyceum Theater will close after the performance on Sunday, November 24, 1895" - Quoted Manager Harry Corson Clarkthat "Denver evidently is not large enough to support four theatrical houses." (DP, November 23, 1895 p. 6) - However, there were some events at the Lyceum Theater at the end of 1895 and into 1896, but not a stock company.

October 1, 1895 (Tuesday) – Warren, History of Motion Picture Exhibition In Denver: 1896-1911 quotes the DR (p. 4) of this date for some type of projected films shown at the Gettysburg Building, 1720 Champa Street as a “scientific” novelty – I did not find anything in theDR, DT or DP for the last week in September or the first week inOctober to confirm this [The RMN for the first week in October is badly damaged and unreadable] – All four papers have accounts of a horticultural show at the Gettysburg Building from September24 to September 30, 1895.

October 1, 1895 -- Ad under Amusements "Coliseum Hall [1812

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Champa Street] - The series of entertainments given under the auspices of the Woodmen will be concluded with the following program... [various sporting events including boxing, fencing andbicycle tricks] ... Seats reserved for gentlemen accompanied by ladies. Admission 25c" (DR, October 1, 1895 p. 3)

October 6, 1895 (Sunday) – The Orpheum Theater, 1746 Curtis Street reopened. -- Ad "Orpheum - Curtis Street between 17th and 18th - Opening Sunday, October 6th - Matinees 2:30 p.m. - Sam T. Jack's Extravaganza Co. presenting The Bull Fighter - 25c 50c PopularPrices 25c 50c" (DR, October 3, 1895 p. 2) -- Ads for the Orpheum Theater in the DP said they were showing vaudeville fromOctober 14 to October 17, 1895 - during the 1896-1897 season the Orpheum presented a light opera company.

October 16 (Wednesday) to October 18 (Friday), 1895 – First Festival of Mountain & Plain – Ads in DP.

December 19, 1895 (Thursday) – A fire damaged the Rich Block on the NE corner of 16th and Curtis streets [the future site of the Mills-Edisonia and Theatorium] – the DP office at 1017 16 th street was not damaged. (DP, December 20, 1895 p. 1) – I have acopy that includes a drawing of the building.

Paul O'[email protected](303) 692-1137Monday, October 24, 2022

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